Wrongful Death Attorney in Phoenix

Former Police Insight for Arizona Families Facing Wrongful Death

At Knowles Law Firm, PLC, we represent families throughout Phoenix and Arizona after a death caused by another party’s wrongful act, neglect, or default. Founding partner Anthony Knowles previously served as an Arizona police officer and has more than 20 years of experience with the Arizona criminal justice system. That investigative background informs how we review records, witness accounts, physical evidence, and the events leading to a preventable death.

A wrongful death claim is a civil action that may proceed separately from any criminal prosecution arising from the same event. We provide individualized guidance based on the family’s circumstances, the available evidence, and the losses recognized under Arizona law. You don’t need to determine every legal issue before contacting us.

Unexpectedly losing someone you love in a preventable accident can be devastating. Grief is difficult enough without the added burden of financial hardship. Although a legal claim can’t undo that loss, it may provide a way to address its financial consequences and hold the responsible party accountable.

Call our wrongful death attorneys in Phoenix at (602) 702-5431 or contact us online for a free initial consultation.

Compensation Available in an Arizona Wrongful Death Claim

Arizona law directs the fact finder to award damages that are fair and just with reference to the injury resulting from the death. The available compensation depends on the circumstances, the losses sustained by eligible beneficiaries, and whether related damages belong to the estate through a survival action. A survival action is a separate claim that preserves certain legal rights the deceased person could have pursued if they had lived.

Economic damages address measurable losses such as medical bills, funeral costs, and lost financial support. Non-economic damages may reflect how the death affected a spouse, child, or parent through the loss of companionship, care, guidance, and the relationship itself. We evaluate the records and each beneficiary’s individual losses rather than treating every family’s claim the same way.

Proving Liability for a Wrongful Death in Phoenix

A civil negligence claim generally requires evidence that the defendant owed a duty, breached that duty, caused the death, and caused legally recognized losses. For example, an intoxicated driver who causes a fatal collision may face civil liability apart from any criminal charge. A company may also be liable when unsafe practices or another wrongful act contributes to a fatal workplace incident.

A criminal charge or conviction isn’t required to pursue a wrongful death lawsuit. Civil claims use a different and lower burden of proof than criminal prosecutions. Our investigation may include accident reports, medical records, photographs, employment and financial documents, physical evidence, witness accounts, and opinions from qualified professionals.

Other personal injury matters may involve fatal harm caused by an auto accident, a dangerous product, unsafe property, or another preventable event. The relevant evidence and potentially responsible parties differ with each incident. A wrongful death case therefore begins with a detailed review of how the death occurred and which legal duties may have been violated.

Who Can Bring a Wrongful Death Action in Arizona?

Under A.R.S. § 12-612, a wrongful death action may be brought by the surviving spouse, child, parent, guardian, or personal representative for the benefit of the statutory beneficiaries. A personal representative is the person legally authorized to act for the deceased person’s estate. Either parent may maintain an action for the death of a child, and a guardian may maintain an action for the death of a ward.

Eligibility to bring the action doesn’t necessarily mean that one person receives the entire recovery. Arizona law provides for distribution among eligible parties according to their respective damages. When recovery is obtained for the estate, it is treated as an estate asset rather than compensation for an individual beneficiary’s personal loss.

Wrongful Death Claims & Survival Actions

A wrongful death claim addresses losses suffered by eligible beneficiaries because of the death, including lost support and companionship. A survival action concerns certain claims the deceased person could have pursued before death, such as qualifying medical expenses or pre-death losses. A case may involve one or both forms of action depending on the facts, and we can review which parties and damages may be involved.

Arizona’s Two-Year Wrongful Death Filing Deadline

A.R.S. § 12-542 generally provides a two-year statute of limitations for an action involving injury to a person when death ensues. The claim generally accrues on the date of death. Missing the applicable deadline can prevent the family or estate from pursuing the action in court.

Exceptions and related legal claims may involve different timing rules, so the deadline shouldn’t be calculated without reviewing the specific facts and legal theory. An early review can also help preserve accident records, medical documentation, insurance correspondence, photographs, and witness information before those materials become difficult to locate. You don’t have to assemble a complete case before contacting us.

How We Prepare a Wrongful Death Case

We treat each case as unique and develop an individualized strategy rather than applying the same approach to every family. Once we accept a case, we handle required filings and paperwork while investigating the cause of the death and evaluating the parties who may bear responsibility. We also maintain clear communication so clients understand the status of the case and the decisions ahead.

Our early casework may include:

• Completing and organizing required paperwork
• Investigating the cause of the accident or fatal event
• Reviewing medical, accident, insurance, and financial records
• Consulting doctors and other qualified professionals
• Speaking with witnesses and preserving their accounts
• Evaluating the losses of statutory beneficiaries and the estate

Wrongful death litigation may involve insurance communications, settlement negotiations, court filings, discovery, and trial preparation. We prepare carefully at each stage rather than assuming a case will settle. Our attorneys have been recognized among the Top 100 Trial Lawyers in Arizona.

Legal Guidance During a Difficult Time

Grief can make legal decisions difficult. Paperwork, deadlines, insurance communications, and questions about the estate can add practical pressure at an already painful time.

At Knowles Law Firm, PLC, our wrongful death attorneys in Phoenix provide compassionate legal guidance while keeping clients informed about the claim. We can explain the issues that require immediate attention, identify records that may be useful, and handle communications connected to the case. Families don’t need to have already proven liability or identified every responsible party before requesting an initial review.

A civil claim may address financial losses and accountability, but it can’t reverse the death or promise emotional closure. Our role is to explain the available options and help the family make informed choices at each stage.

Related Readings:

• Two Children File Wrongful Death Lawsuit for Loss of Their Mother
• Wrongful Death Lawsuit Filed for Young Girl’s Death in Mission Viejo

Wrongful Death Frequently Asked Questions

Will My Family Have to Go to Trial?

Not necessarily. Some claims are resolved through settlement negotiations, while others require litigation or trial. We prepare the evidence and legal arguments for each stage, explain settlement proposals, and discuss the considerations that affect whether to continue negotiating or proceed in court. No particular resolution can be promised at the beginning of a case.

What Records Should I Bring to a Consultation?

Bring any materials you have, which may include a death certificate, accident information, medical records, insurance correspondence, photographs, employment documents, and contact details for witnesses. You can also provide records showing your relationship to the deceased. Don’t delay a consultation because some documents are missing. We can identify what additional information may be needed.

Discuss Your Family’s Legal Options

Our wrongful death lawyer in Phoenix can review the circumstances of the death, potentially responsible parties, available evidence, and the filing deadline that may apply. We provide individualized guidance based on your family’s circumstances and the facts known at the time of the review.

At Knowles Law Firm, PLC, we serve clients throughout Phoenix, Maricopa County, and Arizona. You can contact us without first proving negligence or collecting every relevant document.